JucJd,  Elmer  T. 

List  of  Month  Dakota 
Birds  Found  in  the  Big 
Coulee,  Turtle  Mountains 
Devils  Lake  Region 


and 


LIST  OF 


NORTH  DAKOTA  BIRDS 

Found  in  the  BIG  COULEE, 
TURTLE  MOUNTAINS  and 
DEVILS  LAKE  REGION 


As   noted   during  the  years  1890  to  1896 
and  verified  in  subsequent  years  to  date 


1917 


LIST  OF 


NORTH  DAKOTA  BIRDS 


Found  in  the  Big  Coulee,  Turtle  Mountains 
and  Devils  Lake  Region 


As  noted  during  the  years  1890  to  1896 

and  verified  in  the  subsequent 

years  to  date. 


PUBLISHED  1917  BY  THE  AUTHOR 

ELMER  T.  JUDD^ 

CAN  DO,  M.**!). 

Copyrighted 


INTRODUCTION 


The  following  list  of  North  Dakota  birds  is  the  result  of  the  observations 
of  several  seasons,  from  the  spring  of  1890  to  1895  inclusive.  The  list  is  a 
verbatim  copy  of  one  written  in  the  winter  of  1895-6  but  has  not  been  pub- 
lished until  now  for  various  good  and  sufficient  reasons.  The  list  has  been 
supplemented  and  confirmed  by  the  observations  of  the  succeeding  years.  A 
list  made  from  notes  made  the  past  few  years  would  show  a  great  difference 
in  its  comparative  abundance  or  rarity  of  certain  species,  and  no  doubt  such 
a  list  with  notes  will  be  gotten  out  by  some  one  in  the  near  future. 

In  1895,  from  the  last  of  March  until  August  1,  my  own  observations  were 
supplemented  and  enlarged  by  reason  of  a  party  consisting  of  Dr.  L.  B.  Bishop 
of  New  Haven,  Conn,,  W.  H.  Hoyt  and  John  Shaler  of  Stamford,  Conn.,  N.  L. 
Bigelow  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  myself,  being  in  the  field  every  day  collecting 
and  noting  the  migratory  and  breeding  species  of  this  territory,  and  it  is 
safe  to  say  that  very  few,  if  any,  passed  through  without  some  one  of  the 
party  getting  a  note  of  them.  Notes  were  also  taken  and  freely  given  to  me 
by  Mr.  E.  S.  Bryant  who  was  collecting  near  Freshwater,  Dry,  and  Devils 
Lakes  during  the  same  period,  confirming  our  own  observations  and  adding 
a  few  species,  as  credited  to  him  in  the  list.  Some  230  odd  species  were 
given  in  the  first  list,  but  very  few  of  which  I  have  not  collected  myself. 
Two  of  the  sub-species  were  described  as  new  by  Dr.  Bishop  and  have  since 
been  admitted  as  good  by  the  A.  0.  U.  committee  on  classification  of  species, 
namely:  the  Dakota  Song  Sparrow  and  Hoyt's  Horned  Lark.  The  list  has 
since  been  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  some  20  species  and  sub-species  <is 
will  be  noted  in  the  list.  In  making  up  the  list,  I  used  the  nomenclature  and 
numbering  as  given  in  the  1895  edition  of  the  Amercan  Ornithologists  Union's 
Check  list  of  North  American  Birds. 

The  following  description  of  the  territory  covered  by  this  list  was  made 
in  1895-96.  A  description  written  now  would  not  be  recognized  as  covering 
the  same  country.  Taking  Cando,  Towner  County,  as  a  center,  a  radius  of  40 
miles  would  circumscribe  the  territory  covered  by  this  list,  and  the  greater 
portion  of  the  species  noted  were  taken  within  a  radius  of  20  miles.  It  is 
classed  as  rolling  prairie  with  no  running  streams,  except  in  early  spring 
when  the  Mauvaise  river  or  Big  Coulee  and  its  branches  become  quite  a  river 
while  the  snow  is  going  off,  but  they  soon  run  down  and  during  the  summer 
are  but  little  more  than  a  succession  of  water  holes  of  varying  size  and  depth. 
The  prairies  are  dotted  all  over  by  shallow  sloughs  formed  by  the  drainage. 
They  usually  evaporate  by  the  end  of  May.  They  are  the  favorite  feeding 
places  of  the  Sandpipers  and  Ducks.  In  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county 
are  a  succession  of  lakes  of  some  size,  known  as  Chain  Lakes,  the  largest  of 
which  are  Lakes  Alice  and  Irwin.  Lake  Alice  is  fringed  with  a  growth  of 
trees  and  bushes  on  two  sides,  and  is  the  only  place  in  the  county  where  any 
trees  of  size  can  be  found. 

A  few  miles  north  of  Cando  is  a  series  of  alkali  ponds.  These  are  shallow 
and  often  dry  up  in  summer  time.  While  there  is  water  in  them  they  are 
favorite  resting  and  feeding  grounds  for  the  Sandpiper  and  Duck.  Twelve 
miles  north  is  Snyder  Lake,  some  four  or  five  miles  in  length  and  a  half  mile 
in  width  at  its  widest  part.  The  south  end  is  quite  deep.  The  water  in  this 
lake  is  very  brackish  although  there  is  one  quite  large  spring  of  good  water 
near  the  north  end.  The  northern  part  of  the  lake  is  shallow  and  filled  with 
a  growth  of  grasses  and  rushes  common  to  this  kind  of  a  place.  Ducks, 
Grebes  and  Coots  nest  in  numbers  here,  as  well  as  other  water  loving  birds. 

From  Snyder  Lake  north  there  is  quite  a  number  of  long,  narrow  sloughs 
culminating  in  Rock  Lake  and  probably  connected  during  periods  of  very 


4  BIRDS   OF   NORTH   DAKOTA 

high  water.  This  lake  is  the  largest  body  of  water  in  the  county.  The  water 
is  clear  and  fresh  and  is  very  palatable,  the  taint  of  decaying  vegetable  growth 
being  its  only  bad  feature.  It  is  nine  or  ten  miles  in  length  and  in  one  or 
two  places  a  mile  or  more  in  width.  There  is  a  distinct  drainage  to  the  north 
through  Badger  Creek,  Long  river,  etc.  This  lake  is  the  summer  home  and 
breeding  grounds  of  countless  numbers  of  all  the  ducks  common  to  this  sec- 
tion. Here  also  were  found,  breeding  in  large  numbers,  Coots,  American  Eared 
and  Piedbilled  Grebes,  Caroline  Rail,  Wilson  Phalarope,  Bitterns,  Night  Herons, 
and  several  pair  of  Canada  Geese  and  Sandhill  Cranes.  This  lake  was  selected 
for  our  headquarters,  and  nearly  all  the  species  in  this  list  were  collected 
or  noted  around  this  lake  during  the  season  of  1895.  The  warblers  and  other 
wood  birds  were  found  on  two  islands  in  the  lake,  the  largest  being  about 
five  acres,  the  other  one  acre  in  extent.  They  were  covered  by  a  thick  growth 
of  bushes,  principally  the  Hawthorne  and  Willows  with  clumps  of  Wild  Plum, 
Currant,  Raspberry,  and  Rose  bushes,  almost  impenetrable  except  where  paths 
had  been  kept  open  by  stock. 

A  topographical  map  of  this  region  would  show  the  prairies  around  Cando 
to  be  of  a  generally  level  appearance,  slightly  rolling  to  the  south  and  east. 
To  the  west  and  north  it  is  of  a  more  broken  and  abruptly  rolling  nature.  It 
is  divided  and  drained  by  the  Big  Coulee  and  its  branches.  The  drainage  is 
to  the  south  and  east  through  the  Chain  Lakes  and  into  Devils  Lake.  Nearly 
all  the  lands  to  the  south,  west  and  east  of  Cando  are  broken  up  and  farmed, 
making  excellent  feeding  grounds  for  the  migratory  birds,  and  to  a  limited 
extent,  breeding  grounds  for  a  few  species.  To  the  north,  northeast,  and 
northwest,  it  is  more  broken  and  less  thickly  settled  and  affords  abundant 
room  for  the  shyer  species  to  keep  well  away  from  the  habitations  of  man. 

There  is  a  distinct  but  gradual  rise  to  the  surface  of  the  country  north 
of  Cando  for  about  25  miles  to  the  divide  from  which  the  drainage  is  to  the 
north  and  northeast  into  the  Pembina  river. 

To  the  northwest  of  Rock  Lake  the  rolling  prairies  soon  merge  into  the 
foothills  of  the  Turtle  Mountains,  and  those  into  the  mountains  proper.  They 
are  but  a  succession  of  hills  of  greater  and  less  size  rising  to  about  400  feet 
above  the  surrounding  prairies.  The  soil  is  sandy,  overlaid  with  a  shallow 
covering  of  decayed  vegetable  matter.  The  numerous  hills  are  interspersed 
with  sloughs  and  lakes,  some  of  which  are  quite  large  and  deep.  The  timber 
growth  is  principally  a  species  of  poplar  and  Balm  of  Gilead,  with  small  tracts 
of  Oak  and  White  Birch.  Ash  and  Elm  are  found  in  small  clumps  or  isolated 
trees  amongst  the  other  growth.  Willows  fringe  the  lakes.  The  edges  of  the 
cleared  tracts  and  also  the  burnt  over  ground  have  thick  growths  of  choke- 
cherries,  currants,  raspberries,  mountain  cranberries,  a  sand  cherry,  June 
berries,  rose,  hawthorne,  and  hazelnut,  all  of  which  grow  in  profusion,  making 
a  dense  and  almost  impenetrable  thicket.  The  Mauvaise  river  has  its  source 
in  the  southeastern  part,  Willow  and  Oak  Creeks  in  the  south  and  southwest, 
and  Long  river  heads  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  mountains. 

Devils  Lake  is  about  40  miles  to  the  south  and  east  of  Cando.  It  covers 
a  large  tract  of  ground  some  10  by  50  miles  in  extent.  Generally  speaking, 
it  is  a  shallow  lake,  the  water  of  a  strong  alkaline  nature,  and  is  a  mecca  for 
all  the  water  loving  birds  migrating  over  this  section.  Its  shore  is  fringed 
with  a  heavy  growth  of  timber  and  bushes  which  serve  as  resting  places  for 
the  wood  loving  birds  of  all  kinds.  This  lake  and  the  surrounding  territory 
is,  and  probably  always  will  be  an  ideal  place  for  a  collector  to  put  in  his 
time  during  the  migrations. 

If  it  proves  to  be  of  any  value  or  interest  to  fellow  students  of  Ornithology, 
then  my  work  has  not  been  in  vain,  and  my  desire  to  show  the  wealth  of  bird 
life  as  I  found  it  in  the  early  settlement  of  this  section  has  been  fulfilled. 


Respectfully  submitted, 


ELMER  T.  JUDD, 

Cando,   No.   Dak. 


NORTH  DAKOTA  BIRDS 


1 — 1.    Western  Grebe.    Aechmophorus   occidentalis. 

Only  one  specimen  taken  in  Towner  County.  A  set  of  eggs  found  at  Rock 
Lake  thought  to  be  of  this  species.  A  common  breeder  in  Freshwater  Lake, 
Ramsey  County. 

2—2.    Holboell  Grebe.    Colymbus  holboellii. 

Common  migrant  prairie  region.  Breeding  in  ponds  and  lakes  of  the 
Turtle  Mountains. 

3—3.    Horned  Grebe.    Colymbus  auritus. 

Common  migrant.  Nesting  in  Turtle  Mountains.  No  positive  instances 
known  of  nests  found  in  prairie  ponds.  First  arrivals  early  in  May. 

4 — 4.    American  Eared  Grebe.    Colymbus  nigricollis  californicus. 

Abundant  summer  resident.  Breeding  in  colonies  in  all  ponds  of  prairie 
region  that  retain  water  all  summer.  This  Grebe  arrives  the  last  week  in 
April,  but  does  not  commence  nesting  until  the  first  week  in  June.  Their 
eggs  are  considered  as  great  delicacies  by  the  half-breeds  and  Indians,  who 
gather  them  in  large  numbers  during  the  early  breeding  season.  One  colony 
contained  40  odd  nests  in  a  small  patch  of  grass  about  one  rod  wide  by  four 
rods  long,  one  to  three  eggs  in  each  nest. 

5—6.    Pied-billed  Grebe.    Podilymbus  podiceps. 

Common.  Breeding  in  coulee  holes  and  sloughs  that  have  deep  water. 
They  appear  to  avoid  the  more  shallow  sloughs  and  lakes.  Probably  more 
common  than  is  evident  to  the  casual  observer,  as  they  seem  to  be  of  a  shyer 
nature  than  the  Eared  Grebes,  having  the  faculty  common  to  all  divers,  of 
sinking  quietly  under  water  with  just  the  head  or  bill  exposed  when  alarmed. 
Earliest  records  of  the  first  seen  in  spring  being  April  27th.  Eggs  found 
hatching  first  week  in  June. 

6 — 7.    Loon.    Urinator  imber. 

Common  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains,  breeding  in  the  larger 
lakes.  Sometimes  stopping  on  prairie  ponds  to  rest  but  no  records  of  their 
nesting  in  prairie  regions.  First  migrants  noted  is  April  16th. 

7 — 11.    Red  Throated  Loon.    Urinator  lumme. 

A  questionable  record  of  five  being  seen  on  Big  Coulee  in  late  fall  migra- 
tion. 

8— 51a.    American  Herring  Gull.    Larus  argentatus  smithsonlanus. 

A  straggler  during  early  spring  migrations. 

9—53.    California  GulL    Lams  californicus. 

Occasionally  seen  in  summer.  One  shot  in  June,  1895,  while  flying  over 
Rock  Lake,  being  first  positive  record  for  this  region. 

10 — 54.    Ring-billed  Gull.    Larus  Delawarenses. 

A  common  migrant.  Also  seen  feeding  in  more  or  less  numbers  during 
summer.  No  instances  of  its  breeding  in  Towner  or  Rolette  counties.  Found 
nesting  in  numbers  on  islands  of  Devils  and  Stump  Lakes. 

11—59.    Franklins   Gull.    Larus   franklinii. 

Abundant  during  migrations  in  spring  and  also  during  July  and  August 
when  they  are  seen  feeding  in  large  flocks  over  the  grain  fields,  alighting  for 
rest  on  the  ploughed  fields  and  roads.  Their  food  is  principally  grasshoppers 


6 


BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA 


at  this  season.  Many  hunters  seem  to  delight  in  shooting  them  at  this  season 
of  th'e  year  from  pure  wantonness  apparently.  As  they  are  useless  for  food 
and  require  no  skill  to  get  them,  this  is  a  deplorable  habit,  for  they  are  very 
beneficial  as  insect  destroyers.  No  records  of  their  nesting  here,  but  have  heard 
of  a  large  colony  breeding  near  Devils  Lake. 

12—60.    Bonaparte  Gull.    Lams  Philadelphia. 

But  few  stragglers  of  this  species  seen  during  the  spring  and  summer 
months. 

13—69.    Forster  Tern.    Sterna  forsterL 

An  occasional  specimen  taken.  Should  be  in  hand  to  distinguish  from 
common  Tern. 

14  —  70.    Common   Tern.    Sterna  hirundo. 

Tolerably  common.  Not  found  breeding  in  prairie  region.  May  be  found 
breeding  in  Turtle  Mountains.  Nesting  in  some  numbers  on  islands  of  Devils 
and  Stump  Lakes. 


Breeding   Place  of   Cormorants   on    Stump  Lake 

15—74.    Least  Tern.    Sterna  antillanim. 

Have   a   somewhat   questionable   record   of   this    species. 

16 — 77.    Black  Tern.    Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis. 

Abundant  summer  resident,  nesting  in  colonies  in  suitable  ponds  and 
sloughs.  Average  sets  of  eggs,  two,  often  three.  First  seen  about  the  third 
week  in  May.  Nesting  commences  a  month  later. 

17 — 120.    Double-crested  Cormorant.    Phalacrocorax  dilophus. 

Tolerably  common  migrant.  No  records  of  its  breeding  except  in  Devils 
and  Stump  Lakes. 

18 — 125.    American   Write   Pelican.    Pelecanus   erj  throrhj  nchos. 

Common  migrant,  stopping  to  rest  in  some  of  the  larger  lakes  of  prairie 
region.  Said  to  have  been  found  breeding  on  east  end  of  Devils  Lake. 

19 — 129.    American  Merganser.    Merganser  nmericanns. 

Sometimes  shot  by  hunters  in  the  fall. 

20 — 130.    Red-breasted  Merganser.    Merganser  serrator. 

Tolerably   common.     Migrant  especially   in   the   fall. 


BIRDS    OF  NORTH    DAKOTA  7 

21 — 131.    Hooded  Merganser.    Lophodytes  eucullatus. 

Tolerably  common.  I  have  seen  one  flock  of  young  in  the  Big  Coulee, 
that  I  believed  to  have  been  hatched  close  by,  and  if  so,  the  nest  must  have 
been  on  the  ground  as  there  was  no  timber  short  of  the  Turtle  Mountains, 
some  thirty  miles  away.  Earliest  arrival  noted  April  10,  1894. 

22—132.    Mallard.    Anas  Boschas. 

Common  summer  resident,  nesting  just  anywhere.  I  have  one  set  of  eggs 
taken  from  a  stack  of  wheat,  twelve  feet  from  the  ground  in  spring  of  1892. 
Notes  of  first  arrivals  gives  March  16  as  earliest  date.  Full  set  of  eggs  seen1 
May  20.  They  stay  in  fall,  feeding  on  fields  until  all  water  holes  are  frozen. 
I  have  a  record  of  one  seen  flying  over  town  in  January  during  a  warm  spell 
of  weather. 

23—133.    Black  Duck.    Anas  obscura. 

Have  two  somewhat  questionable  records  of  their  being  seen  here.  Alf 
Eastgate  of  Stump  Lake  and  Ex-State  Auditor  H.  L.  Holmes  of  Bathgate,  have 
each  a  mounted  specimen. 

24—135.    GadwalL    Anas  strepera. 

Common  summer  resident.  Nests  are  found  usually  not  many  rods  from 
lake  shore  in  thick  grass,  and  often  in  clumps  of  buckbrush.  Arriving  early 
in  April,  nesting  commences  late  in  May.  Seldom  found  away  from  the  larger 
sloughs  and  lakes. 

25 — 137.    Baldpate.    Anas  americana, 

Common  summer  resident.  Nests  found  in  thick  grass  in  vicinity  of  lakes 
and  coulee  holes.  Adults  usually  seen  in  pairs,  and  as  a  rule  stay  with  the 
young  all  the  season,  keeping  the  family  flock  together.  Arriving  middle  of 
April  in  spring  migration.  Seldom  seen  after  equinoctial  storm  in  fall. 

26 — 139.    Green-winged  Teal.    Anas   carolinensis. 

Tolerably  common.  A  few  pair  nesting  each  season.  This  species  are 
diminishing  in  numbers  quite  rapidly  in  this  section,  the  decrease  having  been 
noticeable  the  past  five  years.  (Now  in  1910,  I  would  call  it  a  rare  duck 
during  the  summer  season.) 

27—140.    Blue-winged  Teal.    Anas  discors. 

Very  common  summer  resident,  probably  exceeding  any  other  species  of 
ducks  in  numbers.  Nests  most  anywhere  in  vicinity  of  water.  Arriving  about 
the  second  week  in  April,  nesting  commences  the  last  week  in  May,  continuing 
well  into  August.  Young  in  the  down  are  often  seen  as  late  as  September 
first.  Half-breeds  and  Indians  collect  great  numbers  of  Teal  and  other  ducks' 
eggs  for  food.  Some  of  them  claim  that  the  eggs  which  are  well  incubated 
make  the  best  eating.  They  usually  stop  egg-hunting  about  the  first  of  July, 
otherwise  there  would  be  small  chance  for  the  ducks  to  increase. 

28—142.    Shoveller.    Spatula  clypeata, 

Very  common  summer  resident.  Nests  usually  placed  in  thick  grass  and 
not  very  far  from  water.  These  ducks  when  mated  soon  become  familiar 
with  the  sight  of  man,  and  if  not  disturbed  too  often,  will  allow  a  very  close 
approach.  Arriving  the  second  week  in  April,  full  sets  of  eggs  are  found  by 
May  20th,  according  to  season. 

29—143.    Pintail.    Daflla  acuta. 

Common  summer  resident.  This  species  is  among  the  earliest  migrants, 
and  are  usually  mated  when  they  get  here.  They  commence  nesting  the 
earliest  of  any  of  the  ducks.  They  nest  on  the  upland  prairies  in  the  stubble- 
fields,  and  many  of  them  are  plowed  under  and  destroyed.  I  have  found  nests 
of  this  species  no  less  than  a  mile  from  the  nearest  water.  Flocks  of  young 
birds  are  often  seen  full  grown  early  in  July. 


8  BIRDS  OF   NORTH   DAKOTA 

30—144.    Wood-duck.    Aix  sponsa. 

I  know  of  but  one  specimen  taken  here.  A  male  in  moulting  plumage 
was  shot  in  August  by  Roy  Thompson  on  Rock  Lake. 

31—146.    Redhead.    Aythya  amerieana. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident.  On  all  the  larger  lakes  nests  are 
found  in  the  thick  grass  and  rushes  that  grow  to  from  one  to  three  feet 
of  the  water.  First  arrivals  noted  first  week  in  April.  Full  sets  of  eggs 
found  first  week  in  June. 

32—147.    Canvas-back.    Aythya  Tallisneria. 

Tolerably  common.  A  few  pair  breed  near  the  deeper  water  holes,  in 
the  coulees  and  small  sloughs.  First  seen,  third  week  in  April.  Full  sets  of 
eggs  found  June  16. 

33 — 148.    American  Scaup  Duck.    Aythya  niarilannearctica. 

Common.     Early  spring  and  late  fall  migrant. 


A    Desirable    Companion    When    Collecting 
Water-loving   Birds 

34—149.    Lesser  Scaup  Duck.    Aythya  affinis. 

Common.  Breeds  in  all  large  lakes  and  sloughs.  First  migrants  in 
spring  seen  April  15  to  23  for  several  years.  First  nests  found  second  week 
in  June.  Have  found  eggs  of  this  species  in  same  nest  with  those  of  other 
ducks,  including  Redhead,  Ruddy,  Blue-winged  Teal  and  others.  Whether 
they  preempted  the  nests  of  other  species,  shared  in  the  cares  of  incubation 
of  the  same  or  left  them  to  the  mercies  of  the  other  species,  was  never  deter- 
mined. 

35—150.    Ringed-necked  Scaup.    Aythya  collaris. 

Rare.     One  pair  seen  in  Big  Coulee.     Found  breeding  in  Turtle  Mountains. 

36 — 151.    American  Golden-eye.    Glaucionetta  claugula  americann. 

Tolerably  common  at  Graham's  Island,  Devils  Lake.  Rare  straggler  to 
prairie  waters.  Found  breeding  in  Turtle  Mountains. 

37—153.    Buffle-head.    Charitonetta  albeola. 

Rare.     Sometimes  seen  and  shot  during  migrations. 


BIRDS  OF  NORTH    DAKOTA  9 

38—154.    Old-squaw.    (langula  Hyemalis. 

E.  S.  Bryant  claims  to  have  found  one  dead  on  northwest  shore  of  Devils 
Lake. 

39—165.    White-winged  Scoter.    Oidemia  deglandi. 

Straggler  to  our  lakes  and  ponds.  Summer  resident  on  Devils  and  Stump 
Lakes. 

40—167.    Buddy  Duck.    Erismatura  rubida, 

Very  common,  breeding  in  some  numbers  on  all  big  lakes.  An  occasional 
pair  nesting  in  the  smaller  sloughs  and  coulee  holes.  Arrive  usually  during 
the  latter  part  of  April.  Full  sets  of  eggs  are  found  first  week  in  June. 

41 — 169.    Lesser  Snow  Goose.    Chen  hyperborea. 

Abundant  migrant,  spring  and  fall.  Flocks  of  thousands  flying  to  and 
from  their  feeding  grounds  are  a  common  sight  from  the  first  arrivals — in 
the  spring,  usually  about  the  last  week  in  March  until  May  1.  A  few  small 
flocks  stay  until  June  1,  feeding  on  the  young  and  tender  grasses  of  the 
prairie  sloughs  and  meadows.  In  the  fall  they  arrive  from  the  north  from 
the  1st  to  the  12th  of  October,  the  big  flight  almost  invariably  reaching  here 
about  the  10th.  They  stay  until  the  water  in  the  lakes  freezes. 

42 — 169a.    Greater  Snow  Goose.    Chen  hyperborea  nivalis. 

Specimens  whose  size  would  apply  to  this  sub-species,  are  shot  at  all 
times  from  the  large  flocks  of  the  Lesser  Snow  Geese. 

43 — 169b.    Blue  Goose.    Chen  coerulescens. 

Rare  as  compared  with  the  Lesser  Snow  Goose.  One  to  four  specimens 
are  usually  seen  in  nearly  every  large  flock  of  Snow  Geese. 

44 — 170.    Ross'  Snow  Goose.    Chen  rossii. 

One  shot  April  22,  1893.  Have  heard  of  others  being  seen.  None  have 
come  to  my  notice  since. 

45 — 171a.    American  White-fronted  Goose.    A  user  albifrons  garabeli. 

Common  migrant,  both  spring  and  fall.  These  geese  usually  fly  in  small 
flocks  of  ten  to  twenty,  and  while  feeding  in  company  with  the  large  flocks 
of  snow  geese,  yet  they  are  independent  of  the  same.  As  a  rule  they  fly 
close  to  the  ground.  They  decoy  easily  and  are  a  favorite  with  hunters. 
Migrations  about  the  same  as  other  geese. 

46 — 172.    Canada  Goose.      Branta  canadensis. 

Common.  Breeds.  Very  shy  when  wild.  They  are  easily  domesticated 
and  then  become  very  tame  and  familiar  with  those  whom  they  know.  Wild 
geese  lay  on  an  average  of  four  to  six  eggs,  tame  ones  often  lay  ten  or  twelve. 
Harbingers  of  spring,  this  species  is  well  called,  for  the  first  continued  spell 
of  thawing  weather  brings  them  from  the  south.  Noted  as  early  as  March  8, 
and  in  the  fall  as  late  as  November  20. 

47— 172a,    Hutchins'  Goose.    Branta  canadensis  hutchinsii. 

Common  migrant.  Usually  feed  by  themselves  in  small  flocks  of  ten  to 
fifteen.  When  looking  for  feed  they  fly  very  low  and  decoy  easily.  They  are 
also  the  first  out  in  the  morning  and  evening  flights.  Often  seen  or  heard 
before  daylight  and  miles  from  the  lakes  they  spend  the  night  on. 

48 — 172c.    Cackling  Goose.    Granta  canadensis  minima. 

Two  specimens  shot  in  1894  and  one  in  1895  by  Dr.  L.  B.  Bishop.  They 
were  assigned  to  this  sub-species.  The  average  hunter  would  hardly  be  able 
to  separate  this  goose  from  the  Hutchins,  and  they  may  be  more  common  than 
they  are  thought  to  be. 

49—180.     Whistling   Swan.    Olor  columbianus. 

One  specimen  was  brought  to  me  for  identification  in  the  fall  of  1894. 
Shot  while  flying  in  two  Goose  decoys. 


10 


BIRDS  OF  NORTH    DAKOTA 


While    Crane    Once    a    Common    Bird    of    Our    Prairies, 

This   Specimen   Was    Taken    in    1894    and   Is   One   of 

the  Last  Known  Specimens  Shot  in  Towner  Co. 


BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA  11 

50—181.    Trumpeter  Swan.    Olor  buccinator. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  in  spring  and  fall  migrations.  Noted  as  early 
as  April  13  in  the  spring,  and  usually  the  latter  half  of  October  in  fall  migra- 
tions. The  call-notes  of  the  Swan  while  flying  carry  a  long  way,  and  one 
can  hear  them  long  before  the  birds  are  seen.  They  seldom  fly  in  greater 
numbers  than  four  to  six. 

51—190.    American  Bittern.    Botaurus  lentiginosis. 

Very  common.  Breeds  in  grassy  sloughs.  Usually  arrives  last  week  in 
April.  Earliest  full  set  of  eggs  taken  June  18.  These  birds  often  fall  a 
prey  to  the  indiscriminate  shooting  of  some  hungers.  Most  bird  dogs  will 
trail  and  point  them. 

52—191.    Least  Bittern.    Ardetta  exilis. 

Two  seen  by  Dr.  Bishop  at  Rock  Lake,  June  20,  1895.  Also  reported  seen 
around  Devils  Lake. 

53—194.    Great  Blue  Heron.    Ardea   herodias. 

Rare.  Only  now  and  then  one  is  seen  from  year  to  year.  In  recent  years 
this  species  is  found  breeding  in  Turtle  Mountains. 

54 — 196.    American  Egret.    Ardea  egretta. 

E.  S.  Bryant  reports  one  seen  at  Freshwater  Lakes. 

55—202.    Black-crowned  IVight-Heron.    ]Vycticorax  nycticorax  naevins. 

Tolerably  common.  Breeding  in  colonies  in  trees  on  shores  of  Lake  Alice. 
Also  in  heavy  grass  sloughs  and  thick  bushes  at  Rock  Lake.  Earliest  date 
for  spring  migrant,  April  24. 

56 — 204.    TVliooping  Crane.    Grus  americana, 

Tolerably  common  migrant,  spring  and  fall.  Probably  nests  in  Turtle 
Mountains.  Earliest  arrivals  noted  April  13. 

57—205.    Little  Brown  Crane.    Grus  Canadensis. 

One  pair  shot  out  of  a  flock  of  ten  or  twelve,  April  18,  1895.  Now  in 
collection  of  H.  L.  Bigelow,  Boston,  Mass. 

58 — 206.    Sandhill  Crane.    Grus  mexicana. 

Common.  Breeds  in  county.  Nests  located  in  isolated  sloughs  that  con- 
tain more  or  less  water.  The  fall  flights  are  often  very  large  and  Crane- 
shooting  is  good.  In  some  localities  they  do  considerable  damage,  as  a  flock 
will  pull  down  and  scatter  the  grain  after  it  has  been  cut  and  shocked.  I 
have  caught  them  with  steel  traps  on  their  feeding  places.  Earliest  spring 
migrants  noted  April  6.  A  full  set  of  eggs  found  June  9. 

59—208.    King  Kail.    Rallus  elegans. 

Bryant  claims  to  have  seen  one  at  Freshwater  Lake. 

60—212.    Virginia  Rail.    Rallns  yirginianus. 

Not  common  and  noted  only  in  fall  migrations,  and  then  usually  in  grain 
fields  or  stubble.  A  very  shy  bird  but  easily  identified  in  flight. 

61 — 214.    Carolina  Rail  or  Sora.    Porzana  Carolina. 

Very  common.  Nearly  every  slough  containing  water  as  late  as  June 
will  have  one  or  more  pair  nesting.  I  have  found  nests  in  grass  growing  in 
two  feet  of  water.  A  full  set  of  eggs  contains  from  eight  to  fourteen.  They 
arrive  the  second  week  in  May  and  their  noisy  clatter  may  be  heard  until 
after  the  nesting  season.  They  are  not  easily  flushed,  and  therefore  are  much 
oftener  heard  than  seen. 

62—219.    Florida   Gallinule.    Gallinula   galeata, 

Bryant  claims  to  have  seen  them  at  Freshwater  Lake.  A  straggler  of 
doubtful  identification. 


12  BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA 

63—221.    American  Coot.    Fulica  americana. 

Abundant.  Breeds  in  numbers  in  all  large  sloughs,  and  many  of  the 
smaller  ones.  Very  prolific  layers,  and  do  not  seem  to  get  discouraged  at 
the  number  of  times  their  nests  are  robbed.  We  estimated  that  at  least 
3000  eggs  were  taken  by  half-breeds  and  Indians  around  Rock  Lake  in  the 
early  summer  of  1895.  Probably  the  noisiest  and  most  pugnacious  of  the 
water  birds.  I  have  watched  a  couple  of  male  birds  fight  for  over  an  hour. 
First  migrants  noted  last  week  in  April.  Full  sets  of  eggs  found  May  24. 

64—223.    Northern  Phalarope.    Phalaropus  robatns. 

Tolerably  common  spring  migrations.  Not  noted  in  fall.  Arrive  the  third 
week  in  May  and  stay  but  a  few  days,  usually  in  the  more  open  alkali  ponds. 

65—224.    Wilson's   Phalarope.    Phalaropus  tricolor. 

Common  resident.  We  found  it  breeding  in  numbers  in  favorable  locali- 
ties around  Rock  Lake.  Nests  are  situated  not  far  from  the  water,  on  level, 
moist  ground,  as  a  rule.  Nearly  always  in  a  thick  growth  of  grass,  a  very 
slight  attempt  at  nest  building  being  made.  In  several  instances  eggs  were 
found  in  such  positions  as  to  show  that  they  had  been  moved  by  the  birds  for 
some  reason — a  habit  attributed  to  them  by  other  observers.  The  eggs  usually 
number  four,  and  are  of  a  very  marked  similarity  in  general,  but  each  set 
has  an  individuality  of  its  own.  Our  observations  led  us  to  think  that  they 
did  not  try  to  lay  a  second  set  when,  for  any  reason,  their  nests  were  broken 
up,  and  that  at  that  time  they  also  left  the  country  or  went  into  the  thick, 
grassy  portions  about  the  lake  and  kept  out  of  sight.  First  arrivals  noted 
May  1.  Eggs  found  first  week  in  June.  A  very  interesting  species  to  study. 

66 — 225.    American  Avocet.    Recurrirostra  americana. 

A  comparatively  rare  species,  haunting  the  vicinity  of  alkali  lakes.  Un- 
doubtedly breeds,  as  a  female  taken  May  15  by  Dr.  Bishop  had  an  egg  full- 
formed  which  would  probably  have  been  deposited  that  day  or  the  next.  Not 
seen  in  the  fall. 

67—230.    Wilson's  Snipe.    Gallinago  delicata. 

Moderately  common  migrant.  Were  very  common  from  July  to  October 
in  1893,  feeding  in  wet,  grassy  sloughs.  Not  seen  at  all  during  the  dry  sea- 
sons of  1890-1891,  nor  were  they  common  in  1894-1895.  Have  been  told  that 
they  were  very  plentiful  in  1886.  (Since  found  breeding  in  Turtle  Mountains 
in  some  numbers.) 

68 — 232.    Long-Wiled  Dowitcher.    Macrorhamphns  scolopacens. 

Moderately  common.     Irregular  migrant  in  late  summer. 

69—233.    Stilt  Sandpiper.    Micropalama  himantopus. 

A  small  flock  seen  May  27,  1895,  and  another  flock  or  two  the  last  week 
in  July  migrating  south,  comprise  the  records  for  this  species. 

70—239.    Pectoral  Sandpiper.    Tringa  maculate. 

Abundant  migrant.  They  arrive  the  last  week  in  April,  and  are  found 
feeding  until  well  along  in  May,  around  all  the  shallow  sloughs  that  abound 
all  over  the  prairies  during  the  spring,  in  wet  seasons,  and  especially  the 
alkali  flats. 

71_240.    White-mmped  Sandpiper.    Tringa  fuscicollis. 

The  most  abundant  migrant  of  the  sandpiper  family.  First  seen  as  early 
as  April  19  on  their  northward  journey.  They  feed  there  until  the  middle  of 
May. 

72—241.    Baird's  Sandpiper.    Tringa  Bairdii. 

Common  migrant.  Arrives  from  the  south  the  third  week  in  April.  They 
are  to  be  found  feeding  or  coursing  swiftly  over  the  prairies  until  about  the 
middle  of  May. 


BIRDS   OF   NORTH   DAKOTA  13 

73—242.    Least  Sandpiper.    Triuga  minutilla, 

Fairly  abundant  migrant.  First  arrivals,  May  2,  staying  from  three  to 
four  weeks.  As  a  rule  they  feed  around  the  shores  of  alkaline  ponds,  often  in 
shallow  ponds  of  the  prairie. 

74— 243a.    Red-backed  Sandpiper.    Tringa  alpina  pacifica. 

Fairly  common  migrant  in  1895.  Like  most  of  the  other  sandpipers,  they 
are  found  around  alkaline,  or  ponds  that  are  free  from  vegetable  growth. 
An  observer  must  put  in  a  great  deal  of  his  time  around  such,  if  he  wishes 
to  catch  a  glimpse  of  most  of  the  sandpiper  family. 

75—246.    Semipalmated  Sandpiper.    Ereunetes  pusillus. 

Equals  the  Least  Sandpiper  in  numbers.  This  species  reaches  here  about 
the  time  the  Least  begin,  to  leave,  and  takes  the  place  of  that  Sandpiper 
around  the  lakes  and  ponds.  This  species  can  hardly  be  distinguished  from 
the  other  except  by  close  observation. 

76—247.    Western  Sandpiper.      Ereunetes  occidental!*. 

Found  with  the  last,  which  they  closely  resemble. 
77—248.    Sanderling.    Calidris  arenaria, 

Not  common,  only  an  occasional  small  flock  being  seen  around  the  alkali 

ponds.     First  date  seen,  May  28. 

78—249.    Marbled  Godwit.    Liraosa  fedoa.  § 

A  few  pair  breed  in  this  county.  Commonly  seen  in  pairs  in  spring 
migrations.  They  assemble  in  quite  large  flocks  in  late  summer  at  the  larger 
lakes  before  going  south.  Spring  migrants  first  seen  early  in  May. 

79—251.    Htidsonian  Godwit,    Limosa  haemastica. 

A  fairly  common  migrant  in  1895.     First  seen  April'  24. 
80 — 254.    Greater   Yellow-legs.    Totanus   melanoleucus. 

Fairly  common  migrant.  First  noted  in  third  week  in  April.  From  the 
first  of  June  they  can  be  seen  singly  and  in  pairs,  feeding  with  flocks  of  the 
Lesser  Yellow-legs.  After  the  tenth  of  July,  a  few  male  and  barren  female 
birds  are  noted  migrating  south.  « 

81 — 255.    Lesser  Yellow-legs.    Totanus  flaripes. 

Common  migrant.  Arrives  in  flocks  about  the  twentieth  of  April.  They 
are  seen  almost  anywhere  until  along  in  May.  Their  noisy  whistle  is  missed 
until  early  in  July,  when  a  noticeable  southern  movement  commences. 

82—256.    Solitary   Sandpiper.    Totanus   solitarins. 

Tolerably  common  around  Rock  Lake.  Also  seen  in  other  suitable  locali- 
ties. Will  undoubtedly  be  found  breeding  in  Turtle  Mountains. 

83— 258a,    Western  Willet    Symphemia  semipalamata  inornate. 

Common  summer  resident.  Nests  seldom  located.  One  found  was  at  a 
great  distance  from  water.  Arrives  the  first  week  in  May.  Conspicuous  from 
their  size  and  their  loud,  shrill  cries  of  "per-willet,"  "per-willet."  Some- 
times called  silver-wing  snipe  by  hunters  presumably  on  account  of  the  large 
white  patch  on  the  wings,  seen  while  flying. 

84—261.    Bartramian  Sandpiper.    Bartramia  longicaiida, 

Abundant  summer  resident,  nesting  on  upland  prairie,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  noticeable  birds  of  the  prairies.  Arriving  the  last. week  in  April,  they 
feed  in  flocks  until  late  in  May  when  they  pair  off  and  nest.  The  male  birds 
are  seen  flocking  together  late  in  June  and  early  July,  and  commence  migrat- 
ing south.  Female  and  young  are  very  shy,  and  disappear  so  gradually  that 
their  leaving  is  scarcely  noticed  until  they  are  all  gone.  (In  1910  one  would 
say  that  this  species  was  uncommon  for  where  once  were  small  flocks,  now 
only  pairs  are  seen  and  they  seem  to  be  growing  less  in  numbers  very  rapidly.) 

85—262.    Buff-breasted  Sandpiper.    Tryngites  subnificollis. 

A  few  single  birds  and  one  large  flock  seen  the  last  week  in  May,  1895. 


1-4 


BIRDS   OF  NORTH    DAKOTA 


Ferruginous  Rough-leg'   Hawk's  Nest  and   Eggs 


The    Author    With    a   Set    of    Swains    on    Hawk's    Eggs 
Showing    Nest    and    Female    Bird 


BIRDS    OF    NORTH    DAKOTA  15 

86—263.    Spotted  Sandpiper.    Actitis  macularia, 

A  rare  bird  on  the  prairies.  More  common  in  and  near  Turtle  Mountains 
where  it  undoubtedly  breeds.  One  pair  unquestionably  nested  at  Rock  Lake — 
1895. 

87—270.    Black-bellied   Plover.    Charadrius   squatarola. 

Tolerably  common  migrant,  usually  flying  in  very  small  flocks  or  singly. 
Sometimes  seen  with  the  Golden  Plover.  First  seen  the  last  week  in  May. 

88—272.    American  Golden  Plover.      Charadrius  dominicus. 

Common  migrant.  Very  erratic  in  its  general  movements.  Arrives  usual- 
ly the  second  week  in  May.  They  are  seen  feeding  around  for  two  or  three 
weeks,  frequenting  burnt  over  ground  and  wheat  fields.  A  number  of  flocks 
seen  moving  south  early  in  July,  1895. 

89—273.    Killdear.    Aegialitis  vocifera. 

Common  resident  in  summer,  breeding  in  some  numbers.  Their  noisy 
presence  is  made  very  apparent  when  one  gets  within  half  a  mile  of  a  nest. 
First  arrivals  noted  March  30.  They  herald  their  coming  by  loud  and  repeated 
series  of  the  cry  peculiar  to  themselves  and  from  which  they  derive  their 
name. 

90 — 274.    Semi-palmated  Plover.    Aegialitis   semipalmata. 

Rare.     One   seen   by   Dr.   Bishop   at  Rock  Lake,   May,    1895. 

91—277.    Piping  Plover.    Aegialitis  meloda. 

Noted  at  west  end  Devils  Lake. 

92— 277a,    Belted  Piping  Plover.    Aegialitis  meloda  circumcincta. 

Noted  at  west  end  Devils  Lake  near  Graham's  Island. 

93 — 283.    Turnstone.    Arenaria  interpres. 

Tolerably  common   around   Rock  Lake  in    1895. 

94_289.    Quail.    Colinus  virginianus. 

Admitted  on  hearsay.  Heard  of  a  flock  of  a  dozen  near  Grand  Harbor 
1894-1895  presumably  shipped  in  and  turned  loose  there. 

95_300b.    Gray  Buffed  Grouse.    Bonasa  umbellus  umbelloides. 

Common  in  Turtle  Mountains.  Have  not  taken  any  specimens  myself, 
but  a  collection  of  tails,  spread  and  dried,  seen  in  a  settler's  cabin,  shows 
both  the  light  and  dark  forms  of  the  Ruffed  Grouse. 

96 — 305.    Prairie  Hen.    Tympanuchns  americana, 

Common  summer  resident,  and  if  it  continues  to  increase  as  it  has  in  the 
past  five  years  it  can  soon  be  classed  as  an  abundant  bird  of  this  section. 
Earliest  dates  of  arrival  noted  are  March  26  and  April  1. 

97—308.    Sharp-tailed  Grouse.    Pedioecetes  phasianellus. 

Some  of  the  winter  birds  of  the  Sharptailed  Grouse  are  assigned  to  this 
species. 

9^ — 308b.    Prairie  Sharp-tailed  Grouse.    Pedioecetes  phasianellus  cempestris. 

The  most  abundant  of  the  Grouse  family  and  seen  the  year  round,  but 
the  winter  birds  are  thought  to  be  those  raised  farther  north.  There  appears 
to  be  a  marked  migration  of  this  sub-species.  As  the  prairies  are  settled  and 
broken  up  for  grain  fields,  this  species  gives  way  to  the  prairie  hen,  which 
was  practically  unknown  here  in  the  early  90's. 

99_316.    Mourning  Dove.    Zenaidura  macroura. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident.  Nests  both  on  the  prairies  and  in 
the  Turtle  Mountains.  First  week  in  May  is  when  the  spring  migrants  are 
first  seen. 


BIRDS  OF   NORTH   DAKOTA 


An    Eminent    Ornithologist    and     His    Special    Care, 
Group  of  Young  Ferruginous  Rough-leg  Hawks 
He  Was  Raising  for  Purpose  of  Study- 


BIRDS  OF  NORTH   DAKOTA  17 

100—325.    Turkey  Vulture.    Carthartes  auro. 

A  straggler  to  the  prairie  region.     Tolerably  common  around  Devils  Lake. 

101-331.    Marsh  Hawk.    Circus   hudsonius. 

Very  common  summer  resident.  One  of  our  earliest  spring  migrants  and 
one  of  the  most  familiar  of  birds,  as  they  are  seen  at  all  hours  of  the  day 
hovering  over  their  feeding  places.  Arriving  early  in  the  spring  and  staying 
late  in  the  fall,  they  kill  and  devour  great  numbers  of  gophers,  mice,  and 
now  and  then  a  small  bird  or  young  prairie  chicken.  Nest  built  in  the  shal- 
low sloughs  of  prairies,  three  to  five  eggs. 

102—332.    Sharp-shinned  Hawk.    Accipter  yelox. 

Rare.    Two  specimens  secured  in  1895. 

103—334.    American  Goshawk.    Accipites  atricapillus. 

Have  seen  head  and  feathers  of  two  shot  by  George  Dale  in  north  end  of 
Towner  county. 

104—337.    Bed  tailed  Hawk.    Buteo  borealis. 

Common  migrant.  Breeds  in  Turtle  Mountains  and  timber  around  Gra- 
ham's Island,  Sweetwater  and  other  lakes.  Both  the  true  borealis  and  its 
sub-species  Kriderii  are  found  here,  and  probably  types  of  both  will  be  found 
intermingling  and  breeding.  Flocks  of  six  to  ten  are  seen  during  migrations 
in  spring. 

105— 337a.    Krider's  Hawk.    Buteo  borealis  kriderii. 

Remarks   on  borealis   will   apply  to  kriderii. 

106 — 342.    Swainson's  Hawk.      Buteo  swainsoni. 

An  abundant  summer  resident,  nesting  wherever  there  are  bushes  large 
enough  to  hold  a  nest.  Also  found  nesting  in  tall  trees  in  edges  of  Turtle 
Mountains.  Arriving  usually  early  in  April,  nest  building  does  not  progress 
very  rapidly  until  well  along  in  May.  Sets  of  eggs  have  been  found  of  from 
one  to  four.  In  July  there  appear  on  the  prairies  a  large  number  of  these 
hawks,  evidently  from  one  to  two  years  old.  •  They  do  not  seem  to  be  in  flocks 
at  all,  still  there  are  so  many  of  them  that  it  would  appear  as  though  they 
had  come  from  somewhere  together.  They  are  at  this  time  either  stupid  or 
very  fearless,  for  they  are  easily  approached  and  large  numbers  of  them  are 
shot  by  hunters  and  left  to  rot  where  they  fall.  They  evidently  come  here  for 
the  feed,  as  there  is  a  bountiful  supply  in  the  shape  of  gophers,  mice,  toads, 
etc.  In  the  early  fall  they  disappear  as  mysteriously  as  they  came,  going 
during  the  first  few  days  in  September,  but  very  few  being  seen  after 
that.  Many  phases  of  melanistic  plumage  are  seen  at  this  time  and  some 
approach  very  closely  to  a  perfect  melanism.  I  have  not  observed  anything 
approaching  albinism  in  all  the  birds  I  have  seen  of  this  species. 

Writing  in  1910  about  this  species  one  would  say  that  they  were  a  rare 
bird  and  not  found  nesting  at  all,  neither  is  there  any  evidence  of  a  summer 
flight  of  these  birds. 

107-^343.    Broad-winged  Hawk.    Buteo  latissimus. 

A  fairly  common  straggler.  No  evidence  of  its  breeding  here  has  been 
noticed. 

108 — 347a.  American  Hough-legged  Hawk.  Archilmteo  lagopus  saucti-Johannis. 

A  very  early  spring  and  late  fall  migrant.  Tolerably  common.  Do  not 
tarry  any  great  length  of  time.  First  seen  in  spring  the  last  days  of  March. 

109 — 348.    Ferruginous  Kough-leg  Hawk.    Archibuteo  ferruginus. 

Very  c'ommon  summer  resident,  breeding  in  considerable  numbers  in  the 
hills  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  Choose  retired  and  isolated  hills  on 
which  to  place  their  nests.  First  seen  early  in  April.  Full  sets  of  eggs  are 
found  late  in  May. 


18 


BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA 


110—352.    Bald  Eagle.    Haliaeetus  leucocephalus. 

Not  common.  Breeds.  A  young  bird  taken  from  a  nest  in  the  Turtle 
Mountains  in  1890  was  seen  at  Hurricane  Lake.  Two  were  seen  in  1895, 
one  of  which  was  taken  near  Rock  Lake. 

Ill — 355.    Prairie  Falcon.    Falco  inexicanus. 

Common.  Especially  during  August  and  September.  This  is  the  only 
species  of  Hawks  that  I  have  seen  taking  toll  from  the  poultry  yards.  Have 
seen  them  swoop  down  after  their  prey  in  the  main  street  of  the  town. 

112—356.    Duck  Hawk.    Falco  peregrinus  anatum. 

Not  common.  Several  seen  during  the  season.  One  female  taken  in 
June,  1895,  by  Dr.  Bishop. 

113—357.    Pigeon  Hawk.    Falco  columbarius. 

Hawks  seen  flying  at  a  distance  assigned  to  this  species.  Rare,  if  it 
occurs  at  all. 


A    Camp    in    Turtle    Mountains    Collecting    in    189E 


114 — 360.    Sparrow  Hawk.    Falco  sparverius. 

Very  common  summer  resident  Turtle  Mountains,  nesting  there  and  in 
timber  on  Graham's  Island.  Migratory  across  prairie  regions  only.  First 
seen  second  week  in  April. 

115 — 364.    American  Osprey.    Pandlon  haliaetus  carolinensis. 

Rare.     One  seen  at  Snyder  Lake  April  24  and  again  on  May  28,  1895. 

116 — 366.    American  Long-eared  Owl.    Asio  wilsonianus. 

Not  common.  One  nest  found  May  25,  1895,  in  bushes  along  Big  Coulee 
in  northern  part  of  county. 

117 — 367.    Short-eared  Owl.    Asio  accipitrinus. 

Common  summer  resident,  usually  appearing  third  week  in  April.  Full 
set  of  eggs  found  May  18. 

118—371.    Rachardson's  Owl.    Nyctala  tenginalmi  richardsoni. 

Rare  winter  resident  and  migrant. 


BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA  19 

119—372.    Acadian  Owl  or  Sawwhet.    Xyctala  acadica, 

Rare.     Taken  in  winter  only. 

120— 375a.    Western  Horned  Owl.    Bubo  \irginianus  subarcticus. 

Common.  Resident  of  Turtle  Mountains.  Breeds.  Nests  found  with  eggs 
in  February  and  March. 

121—376.    Snowy  Owl.    Nyctea  nyctea. 

Common  winter  resident  and  migrant.  Seen  here  from  October  to  May. 
(One  seen  at  Rock  Lake  July,  1910.) 

122— 377a.    American  Hawk  Owl.    Surnia  ulula  caparoch. 

Rare.     One  specimen  taken  in  fall  1902. 

123 — 378.    Burrowing  Owl.    Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogaea. 

Common  summer  resident.  Breeding.  More  commonly  seen  late  summer 
than  at  other  times.  They  are  apparently  migrating  at  that  time. 

124 — 387.    Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.    Coccyzus  americauus. 

E.  S.  Bryant  claims  to  have  taken  this  species  at  Freshwater  lakes. 

125—388.    Black-billed  Cuckoo.    Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident  in  Turtle  Mountains.  Seldom  seen 
while  migrating. 

126—390.    Belted  Kingfisher.    Ceryle  alcjon. 

Tolerably  common  migrant.    Rarely  found  nesting. 

127 — 393a.    Northern  Hairy  Woodpecker.    Dryobates  villosus  leucomelas. 

Tolerably  common  resident  Turtle  Mountains.  Migrant  over  prairies. 
Breeds. 

128 — 394.    Downy  Woodpecker.    Dryobates  pubescens. 

Common  summer  resident  Turtle  Mountains.  Migratory  only  through 
prairie  regions  stopping  to  feed  occasionally  around  buildings  and  fences. 
First  seen  middle  of  May. 

129—400.    Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker.    Piccides  arcticns. 

Rare.     Bryant  collected  one  spring  1894. 

130—402.    Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker.    Sphyrapicus  yarius. 

Summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains.  Most  common  species  of  the  wood- 
pecker family.  Breeds. 

131 — 406.    Red-headed  Woodpecker.    Melanerpes  erythrocephalus. 

Rare.     A  straggler  from  the  Red  River  flight. 

132—412.    Flicker.    Colaptes  auratus. 

Common  summer  resident  Turtle  Mountains.  Breeds.  Migratory  only 
across  prairies. 

133—417.    Whip-poor  will.    Antrostomus  \ociferus. 

Admitted  on  testimony  of  Mr.  T.  W.  Conyers  who  told  me  that  he  both 
saw  and  heard  the  bird;  was  on  his  yard  fence  in  Cando.  Rare.  Mr.  Seton 
Thompson  in  his  Birds  of  the  Northwest,  gives  this  species  as  common  in  the 
Long  River  Gorge.  This  is  just  north  of  the  Turtle  Mountains.  No  records 
of  its  being  seen  or  heard  in  the  Turtle  Mountains. 

134-^120.    Sighthawk.    Chordeiles  \irginianus. 

Common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


20 


BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA 


135—  420a.    Western   Nighthawk.    Chordeiles  virginianus   henryi. 

Intermingling  and  breeding  with  virginianus.  Dr.  Bishop  has  a  series  of 
skins  which  are  redescribed  and  admitted  as  Bennett's  Nighthawk,  and  same 
will  be  found,  I  think,  to  be  the  predominating  nighthawk  in  this  region. 

136—423.    Chimney  Swift.    Chaetura  pelagica. 

A  rare  straggler.     Does  not  occur  every  year. 

137—428.    Ruby-throated  Hummingbird.    Trochilus  colubris. 

Not  uncommon  on  prairies.  Tolerably  common  and  breeds  in  Turtle 
Mountains. 

138  —  444.    Kingbird.    Tyrannus   tyrannus. 

Very  common  summer  resident.  When  trees  or  bushes  are  not  at  hand, 
they  build  their  nests  on  plows,  binders,  in  the  tin  eave  gutters,  and  I  have 
a  record  of  one  nest  built  on  the  ground  on  the  bank  overhanging  a  coulee 
bed.  For  a  long  term  of  years  first  notes  of  spring  migrants  of  this  species 
were  made  on  either  the  17th  or  the  19th  day  of  May. 


As  We  Ranged  the  Prairies  Collecting-  in  1895 


139 — 447.    Arkansas  Kingbird.    Tyrannus  rerticalis. 

Common  around  Devils  Lake.  Rare  at  Cando  and  north  up  to  1895.  (In 
1910  they  equal  the  Kingbird  in  numbers  around  Cando.)  Another  instance  of 
the  changes  in  the  avi  fauna  as  the  country  settles  up. 

140—452.    Crested  Flycatcher.    Myiarchus  crinitus. 

Rare.     Several  specimens  have  been  taken  in  Turtle  Mountains. 

141-456.    Phoebe.    Sayornis  phoebe. 

Rare.     But  one  specimen  for  this  locality,  April,  1895. 

142—461.    Wood  Pewee.    Contopus  virens. 

Admitted  to  list,  but  data  on  this  species  very  incomplete. 

143—463.    Yellow-bellied   Flycatcher.    Empidonax   flaviventris. 

Rare.     Breeding  in   Turtle  Mountains. 


BIRDS  OF  NORTH   DAKOTA  21 

144—466.    Traill's  Flycatcher.    Empidonax  traillii. 

Common  migrant  prairie  region.  Breeds  in  Turtle  Mountains.  Earliest 
migrants,  May  8. 

145 — 467.    Least  Flycatcher.    Empidoiiax  minimus. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains  and  woods  around 
Devils  Lake.  First  seen  June  4.  Eggs  found  June  29. 

146 — 474b.    Prairie  Homed  Lark.    Otocorus  alpestris  practicola. 

Tolerably  common.  Breeds.  Very  early  spring  migrants,  coming  in  pairs 
and  commencing  to  prepare  a  nesting  place  soon  after. 

147 — 474c.    Desert  Horned  Lark.    Otoceris  alpestris  arenicola. 

This  light  colored  form  is  more  common  than  practicola,  but  does  not 
appear  in  the  spring  migrations  until  much  later,  usually  arriving  here  already 
mated  and  prepared  for  the  business  of  reproduction. 

148—474.    Hoyt's   Homed  Lark.    Otocoris  alpestris  hoytii. 

Common  in  flocks.  Late  fall  in  southern  migration  and  late  winter  in 
the  northern  movement.  This  larger  and  darker  form  of  this  species  was 
described  and  named  by  Dr.  Bishop  in  1895  and  since  admitted  in  the  A.  O.  U. 
lists.  One  of  the  few  species  that  can  be  classed  as  a  winter  resident,  some 
years  much  more  so  than  others.- 

149-^177.    Blue  Jay.    Cyanocitta  cristata. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  of  the  prairies.  Summer  resident  of  the  Turtle 
Mountains  where  it  nests  in  some  numbers. 

150 — 484.    Canada  Jay.    Perisoreus  canadeusis. 

Rare.  Found  in  both  summer  and  winter  months  in  Turtle  Mountains. 
Straggler  to  prairie  regions. 

151 — 487.    Northern  Raven.    Corvus  corax  principalis. 

Very  rare,  if  at  all.  An  occasional  bird  seen  in  very  early  spring,  assigned 
to  this  species. 

152 — 488.    American  Crow.    Corrus  americana. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident.  Arrives  early  in  April,  often  in 
March.  Nests  are  found  in  bushes  along  the  coulees  and  in  the  Turtle  Moun- 
tains. 

153 — 494.    Bobolink.    Dolichonyx  oryziYorus. 

Common  summer  resident.  First  seen  early  in  May.  Nests  in  all  suit- 
able localities  in  June.  Nest  and  eggs  not  easily  located. 

154—495.    Cowbird.    Molothrus  ater. 

Abundant  summer  resident.  First  seen  about  first  of  May.  Nearly  all, 
if  not  all  of  the  small  birds  of  the  region  assist  in  propagating 'this  species. 

155—497.    Yellow-headed  Blackbird.    Xanthosephalus  xanthocephalus. 

Abundant  summer  resident.  Nests  in  colonies.  Have  counted  over  120 
nests  in  a  patch  of  rushes  not  larger  than  10  rods  by  1  rod  in  one  of  the 
coulees.  First  seen  third  week  in  April. 

156—498.    Redwinged  Blackbird.    Agelaius  phoeniseus. 

Common  summer  resident.     Appear  as  early  as  first  week  in  April. 

157 — 501b.    Western  Meadowlark.    Sturnella  magna  neglecta. 

Common  summer  resident.  First  appearing  about  the  first  of  April. 
Their  cheerful  notes  are  heard  until  late  in  fall. 

158—^506.    Orchard  Oriolo.    Icterus   spurius. 

Rare  on  prairie.  Found  breeding  around  the  large  lakes  to  the  south. 
Not  found  in  Turtle  Mountains. 


22  BIRDS  OF  NORTH    DAKOTA 

159—507.    Baltimore  Oriole.    Icterus  galbula. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  over  prairies,  nesting  in  timber  on  shores  of 
large  lakes,  and  In  Turtle  Mountains. 

160—509.    Hasty  Blackbird.    Scolecophagus  carolinus. 

Very  common  migrant.  Arrives  about  first  week  in  April.  They  are  found 
in  flocks  feeding  on  the  grain  fields,  commonly  not  far  from  waterholes.  Going 
north  about  the  second  week  in  May,  they  return  in  the  fall  early  in  Sep- 
tember, staying  until  snow  flies  or  until  all  water  is  frozen. 

161 — 510.    Brewers  Blackbird.    Scolecophagus  cyanocephalns. 

Tolerably  common  migrant.  A  few  pair  usually  breed  on  the  outskirts 
of  the  Turtle  Mountains. 

162 — 511b.    Bronzed  Grackle.    Quiscalus  quiscula  aeueus. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident  arriving  from  the  south  about  the 
middle  of  April.  Found  nesting  in  suitable  localities. 


Sioux   Indians,    Full    Bloods,   Some  of   the    Eg-g-   Hunter 
of    Rock    Lake,    Spoken   of    in    List 


163 — 514.    Evening  Grosbeak.    Coccothraustes   respertinns. 

Rare  straggler.     Only  two  or  three  records  in  a  number  of  years  in  early 
spring. 

164—515;    Pine  Grosbeak.    Pinicola  enucleator. 

Irregular  winter  visitant  in  small  flocks. 

165 — 517.    Purple  Finch.    Carpodacus  purpurens. 

Rarely  seen  on  the  prairies.     Breeds  in  Turtle  Mountains.     Tolerably  com- 
mon there. 

166 — 521.    American  Crossbill.    Loxia  curvirostra  minor. 

Rare  visitor.     A  juvenile   specimen   taken    in   August,   1891. 

167—522.    Whitewinged  Crossbill.    Loxia  leucoptera. 

A  small  flock  seen  in  latter  part  of  July,   1895.     Probably  a  family. 


BIRDS  OF  NORTH    DAKOTA  23 

168— 527a»    Hoary  Redpoll.    Acanthis  hornemanuii  cxilipes. 

Rare  winter  visitant.     Usually  found  with  flocks  of  the  common  Redpoll. 

169—528.    Redpoll.    Acanthis  linaria. 

Common   winter  visitant  and   migrant  in   early   spring   and   late  fall. 

170—529.    Goldfinch.    Spinus  tristis. 

Tolerably  common.    Breeds  in  Turtle  Mountains,  migratory  prairie  regions. 

171 — 534.    Snowflake.    Plectrophenax  nivalis. 

Abundant  migrant.  Winter  resident  some  years.  Usually  comes  from 
north  early  in  October,  going  north  in  spring.  Last  seen  fore  part  of  May. 

172 — 536.    Lapland  Longspun    Calcarius  laponicus. 

Abundant  migrant.  Arriving  from  the  south  from  the  12th  of  March  on, 
they  are  seen  in  flocks  of  hundreds  as  soon  as  the  snow  is  all  gone.  They 
feed  on  the  newly  seeded  fields,  picking  up  the  uncovered  grains  of  wheat, 
weed  seeds,  and  insects.  Called  by  some  farmers  "wheat  birds."  They  are 
thought  by  some  to  do  great  damage,  and  may  have  done  so  in  the  days  of 
the  broadcast  seeder.  An  examination  of  the  crop  and  gizzards  of  these  show 
an  enormous  number  of  weed  seeds  and  small  insects,  showing  that  they 
are  beneficial  rather  than  harmful  in  any  way.  Returning  from  the  north 
in  September,  they  are  commonly  seen  till  about  November  1. 

173—537.    Smith's  Longspun    Calcarius  pictus. 

Common  migrant.  This  species  seems  of  a  more  retiring  nature  than 
the  others  of  this  genus.  They  are  seldom  seen  unless  flushed  from  the 
stubble  they  usually  feed  in.  Not  often  seen  on  the  grass  of  the  prairies. 
Not  seen  at  all  in  the  wooded  sections. 

174 — 538.    Chestnut  collared  Longspun    Calcarus   ornatus. 

Abundant  summer  resident.  This  most  ubiquitous  of  our  small  birds  is 
the  most  conspicuous  of  the  ground-nesting  species.  The  males  spend  much 
of  their  time  in  the  air  near  the  nesting  site,  singing  as  they  soar  at  some 
height  from  the  ground  their  pleasing  and  cheerful  song,  only  heard  during 
the  nesting  season.  They  come  late  in  the  spring  and  stay  until  well  along 
in  October. 

175 — 539.    McCown's  Longspun    Rhynchophanes  mccownii. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident.  Nests  usually  found  in  growing 
grain,  though  they  commence  nesting  before  same  is  hardly  up.  Sometimes 
called  butterfly  birds  from  their  habit  of  rising  from  the  ground,  and  after 
their  song  is  finished  coming  down  with  wings  set  much  as  a  butterfly  does. 
(This  species  has  become  more  and  more  rare  as  the  country  has  settled  until 
now  it  is  rarely  seen  1910.) 

176 — 540.    Vesper  Sparrow.    Pooecetes  gramineus. 

Fairly  common.  Nests  around  the  towns,  farm  buildings,  but  seldom  or 
ever  on  the  open  prairie. 

177 — 540a.    Western  Vesper  Sparrow.    Pooecetes  gramineus  confinis. 

Intermingling  with  the  true  Vesper,  if  not  confounded  at  times  with  the 
same.  It  needs  the  birds  in  hand  to  separate  one  from  the  other. 

178 — 542a.    Savanna  Sparrow.    Ammodramus  sandwichensis  savanna. 

Common  summer  resident,  nesting  in  numbers  in  all  suitable  localities. 
179—545.    Baird's    Sparrow.    Ammodramus   bairdii. 

Common  summer  resident  nesting  in  suitable  places,  often  times  several 
pairs  in  the  same  meadow. 

180 — 546a.    Western  Grasshopper   Sparrow.    Ammodramus    savannarum    (per- 
pallidus.) 

Not  common.  Probably  breeds  as  B.  S.  Bryant  gives  it  as  a  common 
breeder  in  Freshwater  Lake. 


24  BIRDS  OF  NORTH   DAKOTA 

181 — 548.    Lecontes  Sparrow.    Ammodramus  leconteii. 

Common  migrant  and  thought  to  breed  here,  but  so  far  have  been  unable 
to  locate  a  nest.  They  frequent  the  dry  sloughs  where  high  grass  gives  them 
their  favorite  feeding.  They  are  seldom  seen  unless  being  looked  for. 

182 — 549a. — Nelson's  Sparrow.    Ammodramus  caudacntus  nelsoni. 

Tolerably  common  migrant,  but  rarely  seen.     May  be  found  breeding. 

183 — 553a.    Harris'  Sparrow.    Zonotricliia  querula. 

Common  migrant.  This,  one  of  the  largest  sparrows,  is  conspicuous 
while  it  tarries  here.  Spring  migrants  come  in  about  May  1,  and  in  the  fall 
arrive  from  the  north  about  the  10th  of  September. 

184—554.    White   Crowned   Sparrow.    Zonotrichia   leucophrys. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  in  spring. 

185 — 554a.    Intermediate  Sparrow.    Zonotrichia  leucophrys  intermedia. 

Several  specimens  taken  assigned  to  this  sub-species. 

186—558.    White-throated   Sparrow.    Zonotrichia    alMcolis. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  on  prairies,  breeding  in  Turtle   Mountains. 

187 — 559a.    Western  Tree  Sparrow.    Spizella  monticola  ochrace;i. 

Common  migrant  spring  and  fall,  usually  in  April,  not  tarrying  for  long 
either  in  the  spring  or  fall  flights. 

188—560.    Chipping  Sparrow.    Spizella  socialis. 

Not  common.     Said  to  breed  near  Devils  Lake. 

189—561.    Clay-colored  Sparrow.    Spizella  pallida. 

Common  summer  resident.  Very  shy  on  their  breeding  grounds,  keeping 
well  hid  in  the  low  shrubbery,  weeds"  and  grass  that  they  frequent.  Spring 
migrants  first  seen  the  first  of  May.  They  keep  more  or  less  in  flocks  until 
nesting  begins.  Fall  movement  noticeable  the  middle  of  September. 

190 — 567.    Junco.    Junco  hyemalis. 

Common  migrant,  especially  so  in  spring.  Have  seen  them  as  early  as 
February  26.  They  are  common  late  in  March  and  early  in  April.  They  either 
go  south  very  quickly  through  here  or  take  another  route  as  they  are  not 
near  as  common  as  in  the  spring  flight. 

191—581.    Dakota  Song  Sparrow.    Melospi/a  fasciata  juddii. 

This  sub-species,  described  and  named  by  Dr.  L.  B.  Bishop,  discovered 
in  Turtle  Mountains  where  it  is  a  common  summer  resident.  Rarely  seen  on 
the  prairies  and  then  only  during  migrations. 

192—583.    Lincoln's  Sparrow.    Melospiza  lincolnii. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  frequenting  the  thick  grasses  growing  along 
coulees.  They  are  only  seen  when  flushed,  and  so  far  as  I  have  been  able 
to  note  they  have  no  song  while  here.  First  arrivals  rioted  from  1st  to  21st 
of  May  for  several  years.  Seldom  seen  in  the  fall. 

193 — 584.    Swamp  Sparrow.    Melospiza  georgiana. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  on  the  prairies.  Probably  breeds  in  Turtle 
Mountains.  A  full  plumaged  male  bird  taken  there  second  week  in  July  was 
in  full  song.  First  seen  in  spring  as  early  as  April  27.  A  shy  bird,  one 
needs  to  hunt  for  them  if  he  wishes  to  see  them. 

194—585.    Fox  Sparrow.    Passerella  iliaca. 

Rather  rare  migrant.  Earliest  dates  seen  April  20  and  29.  Seldom  noted 
in  fall. 

195—587.    Towhee.    Pipilo  erythrophthalmus. 

Rare.     May  be  found  breeding  in  Turtle  Mountains. 


BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA  25 

196—588.    Arctic  Towhee.    Pipilo  niaculatns  arcticus. 

Rare  straggler.    One  specimen  taken  assigned  to  this  species. 

197—595.    Bose-breasted  Grosbeak.    Habia  ludoYiciana. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident  in  Turtle  Mountains.  Migratory  only 
on  prairies.  Earliest  notes  of  spring  migrants  5th  to  llth  of  May. 

198—598.    Indigo  Bunting.    Passerina  cyanea. 

Rare.     Seen  only  occasionally.     (Bryant  found  them  at  Freshwater.) 

199 — 604.    Dickcissel.    Spiza  americana. 

Rare.  Small  flock  seen  in  1891.  Is  only  record  I  have,  three  full-plumaged 
males  being  taken  at  that  time  in  southeastern  part  of  county  on  Big  Coulee. 

200 — 605.    Lark  Bunting.    Calamospiza  melanocorys. 

Common  summer  resident,  nesting  in  old  fields  left  for  summer  fallowing. 
Many  are  plowed  up  and  destroyed  before  the  eggs  have  hatched.  Arriving 
after  the  middle  of  May,  they  nest  late  in  June.  Have  a  pure  Albino  skin 
of  this  species  taken  in  August,  1890. 

201 — 608.    Scarlet  Tauager.    Piranza  erythronielas. 

Rare.  Seen  only  in  Turtle  Mountains.  May  be  found  breeding  there  some 
years. 

202—611.    Purple  Martin.    Progne  subis. 

Common  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains,  nesting  in  hollow  trees. 
Migratory  only  in  prairie  regions. 

203—612.    Cliff  Swallow.    Petrochelidon  lunifrons. 

Common  summer  resident  nesting  in  suitable  localities.  Probably  a  dozen 
or  more  colonies  known  in  the  county.  First  migrants  noted  May  24th. 

204^613.    Barn  Swallow.    Chelidon  erythrogastra. 

Common  summer  resident.  Spring  migrants  first  seen  second  week  in 
May,  staying  in  fall  as  late  as  October  20. 

205—614.    Tree  Swallow.    Tachycineta  bicolor. 

Common  summer  resident  of  wooded  regions.  Migratory  over  prairies. 
Arrives  from  the  south  the  first  week  in  May  and  stays  until  the  first  heavy 
frosts  of  fall. 

206—616.    Bank  Swallow.    Clivicola  riparia. 

Common  summer  resident  of  prairies.  Not  noted  in  Turtle  Mountains. 
Nests  in  all  suitable  places.  First  noted  third  week  in  May  as  a  rule. 

207 — 618.    Bohemian  Waxwing.    Ampelus  garrulus. 

Irregular  winter  visitant  in  small  flocks. 

208—619.    Cedar  Waxwing.    Ampelis  cedrorum. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident  of  the  Turtle  Mountains.  Migratory 
over  prairie  regions.  So  erratic  in  their  movements  as  to  make  records  of 
their  migrations  difficult  to  obtain. 

209—621.    JVorthern  Shrike.    Lanius  borealis. 

Tolerably  common.     Early  spring  and  late  fall  migrant. 

210—622a,    White-rumped  Shrike.    Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides. 

Not  at  all  common.     Have  found  them  breeding  on  shores  of  Lake  Alice. 

211—624.    Red-eyed  Yireo.    Yireo  olivaceous. 

Common  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains.  Only  occasionally  seen 
during  migrations  on  prairies. 


26  BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA 

212^-626.    Philadelphia  Yireo.    Vireo  philadelphicus. 

Not  uncommon  as  a  summer  resident  of  the  Turtle  Mountains.  Undoubt- 
edly nests  there,  but  none  found  as  yet. 

213—627.    Warbling  Vireo.    Yireo  gihus. 

Not  common.  Found  nesting  in   wooded   regions. 

214—628.    Yellow-throated  Yireo.    Yireo  flavifrous. 

Rare.     Taken  in   July  in  Turtle  Mountains.     Juveniles   seen. 

215—636.    Black  and  White  Warbler.    Mniotilta  varia. 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains.  Migratory  only 
on  prairies.  First  spring  migrants  noted  on  May  11. 

216—646.    Orange-crowned  Warbler.    Helminthophila  celata. 

Tolerably  common  migrant.     Taken   as  early  as  May  8. 

217—^47.    Tennessee  Warbler.    Helminthophila  peregrina. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  usually  seen  first  of  June. 

218—650.    Cape  May  Warbler.    Dendroica  tigrina. 

Rare  migrant.     Taken  as  early  as  May  13. 

219—652.    Yellow  Warbler.    Dendroica  aestiva. 

Common  summer  resident.  Found  nesting  along  coulees  and  suitable 
places  in  prairie  region  also  in  Turtle  Mountains. 

220—655.    Myrtle  Wrarbler.    Dendroica  coronata. 

The  most  abundant  of  the  warblers  during  the  migrations,  both  in  prairie 
and  wooded  districts.  Notes  of  first  seen  give  last  week  in  April. 

221—657.    Magnolia  Warbler.    Dendroica  maculosa, 

Rare.     Several   taken   second  week   in  May,   1895.     Migrant  only. 

222—659.    Chestnut-sided  Warbler.    Dendroica  pennsybanica. 

Common  migrant  over  prairies.  Nests  in  Turtle  Mountains.  First  arrivals 
noted  first  of  June. 

223—660.    Bay-breasted  Warbler.    Dendroica  castanea. 

Very  rare.  Only  one  authentic  record — a  fine  male  specimen  taken  May 
11,  1895  on  an  island  in  Rock  Lake. 

224—661.    Blackpoll  Warbler..  Dendroica  striata. 

Equals  if  not  surpasses  in  numbers  the  Yellow-rumped  Warbler  in  the 
wooded  districts,  but  not  as  common  on  the  prairies.  Earliest  spring  migrants 
seen  first  of  May. 

225—^62.    Blackburnian   Warbler.    Dendroica   black  burn  iae. 

Given  as  rare  by  Bryant  at  Freshwater  Lake. 

226—672.    Palm  Warbler.    Dendroica  palmarum. 

Rare  migrant     Noted  from  1st  of  May. 

227 — 674.    Oven-bird.    Seinnis  anrocapillus. 

Rare  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains. 

228— 675a.    Grinnel's  Water  Thrush.    Seiurus  noveboracensis  notabilis. 

Common  at  Rock  Lake  between  May  9  and  June  20,  also  in  Turtle  Moun- 
tains during  July,  undoubtedly  nesting  there  at  that  time.  This  species  is 
very  shy  and  retired  in  its  habits  and  much  more  common  than  it  would 
appear  to  be  to  any  except  the  most  careful  observers.  They  have  a  very 
pleasing  song  during  the  nesting  season.  Roy  Thompson  found  nests  and 
eggs  of  this  species  in  1909-10  at  Fish  Lake,  Turtle  Mountains.  Author  found 


BIRDS   OF  NORTH   DAKOTA  27 

a  nest  with  3  eggs  July  15,  1916.  Only  known  records.  Nest  and  eggs  seen  in 
Turtle  Mountains  near  Fish  Hatchery  and  photographed  on  July  12,  1916. 
Nest  was  in  bank  of  a  newly  dug  ditch  resting  on  a  small  shelf,  where  side 
of  ditch  had  caved  off.  Eggs  apparently  about  two-thirds  incubated,  nest 
composed  of  small  sticks,  rootlets,  bark  and  moss. 

229—679.    Mourning:  Warbler.    Geothylpis  Philadelphia. 

Tolerably  common  migrant  on  prairies.  One  of  the  most  common  summer 
residents  of  the  Turtle  Mountains.  Their  song,  which  is  very  clear  and  dis- 
tinct, has  three  very  distinct  variations,  all  ending,  however,  in  the  same 
manner,  which  is  the  distinguishing  part.  The  bird  is  much  oftener  heard 
than  seen.  While  we  knew  them  to  be  nesting  all  around  us,  a  careful  search 
failed  to  reward  us  with  a  nest  and  eggs.  A  brood  of  young  just  from  the 
nest  were  seen  in  July.  They  were  most  commonly  found  in  tracts  that  had 
been  cut  over  and  were  then  growing  up  to  sprouts  and  brush  of  all  kinds. 
Earliest  arrivals  from  the  south  noted  first  week  in  June. 

230—681.    Maryland  Yellow-throat    Gfeothlypis  trichas. 

Common  summer  resident  of  prairies  and  the  Turtle  Mountains.  Breed- 
ing. Earliest  date  of  arrival  in  the  spring  May  3. 

231—685.    Wilson's  Warbler.    Sylyania  pusilla. 

Rather  rare  migrant.     Usually  seen  latter  part  of  May. 

232—687.    Redstart.    Setophaga  omticilli. 

Common  migrant  of  prairie  and  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains, 
Graham's  Island  and  other  wooded  tracts.  Arrives  third  week  in  May. 

233 — 697.    American  Pipit.    Anthus  pennsylvanicus. 

Regular  migrant  in  spring.  More  common  in  the  September  movement 
to  the  south.  Not  noted  in  the  wooded  regions. 

234—700.    Sprague's  Pipit,    Authus  spraguli. 

Fairly  common  summer  resident.  This  species  was  not  noted  for  several 
years,  but  after  their  song  was  learned  I  find  them  every  year.  Seldom  seen 
on  the  ground.  I  do  not  know  when  they  come  or  go,  but  their  song  is  not 
heard  until  July.  They  are  found  near  the  low  alkali  flats  or  meadows.  One 
is  able  to  locate  them  high  in  the  air  during  the  song  season.  They  appar- 
ently stay  up  for  hours  at  a  time. 

235—704.    Catbird.    Galeoscoptes  carolinensis. 

Tolerable    common    summer    resident    of    this   territory.     First   notes    taken 
third  week  in  May  for  a  number  of  years. 

236 — 705.    Brown  Thrasher.    Harporhynchus  rufus. 

Rather  rare.  Probably  nest  in  Turtle  Mountains  as  it  is  usually  seen 
during  the  breeding  season.  On  the  prairie  they  are  an  irregular  migrant. 
First  spring  notes  running  from  May  13th  to  June  29th. 

237—715.    Rock  Wren.    Salpinctes  obsoletus. 

But  one  known  record.  I  took  a  specimen  in  spring  of  1896.  At  the 
height  of  a  southeast  storm  it  appeared  around  a  woodpile  in  my  yard  ap- 
parently blown  out  of  usual  haunts  to  the  south  by  the  high  winds. 

238— 721b.    Aztec  House  Wrren.    Troglodytes  aedon  aztecus. 

Very  common  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Mountains,  nesting  in  hollow 
trees  and  around  the  buildings  of  the  settlers.  More  of  a  migratory  bird  on 
the  prairies,  but  now  and  then  a  pair  finding  a  nesting  site.  Coming  the 
middle  of  May,  they  commence  housekeeping  soon  after. 

239—722.    Winter  Wren.    Troglodytes  hiemalis. 

Rare.  Now  and  then  one  seen.  May  be  more  regular  as  a  migrant  than 
I  have  noted. 


28  BIRDS  OF   NORTH  DAKOTA 

240—724.    Short-billed  Marsh  Wren.    Cistothorus  stellaris. 

Breeding.  Locally  common.  Nests  in  small  colonies  in  thick  high  grass 
near  sloughs.  Earliest  arrivals  from  the  south  noted  May  6th  to  23rd. 

241—725.    Long-billed  Marsh  Wren.    Cistothoms  palustris. 

Locally  common.  Nests  in  high  rushes  wherever  found.  Coming  from 
their  winter  haunts  with  the  preceding  species,  they  fool  away  a  great  deal 
of  time  building  nests  before  they  finally  get  down  to  the  business  of  raising 
a  brood  of  young. 

242—726.    Brown  Creeper.    Certhia  faniiliaris  americana. 

Rare.    Irregular  migrant.    No  known  instance  of  its  breeding. 

243—727.    White-breasted  Nuthatch.    Sitta  carolinensis. 

Tolerably  common  migrant.  Presumably  breeding  in  Turtle  Mountains 
as  specimens  were  taken  in  July. 

244—728.    Bed-breasted  Nuthatch.    Sitta  canadensis. 

Not  uncommon  during  the  fall  flights  in  September  and  October.  Not 
noted  in  spring  migrations. 

245— 735a.    Long-tailed  Chickadee.    Parus  atricapillus  septentrionalis. 

Rather  a  common  resident  in  Turtle  Mountains.  Rarely  seen  on  prairies. 
Have  some  winter  notes  for  Turtle  Mountains  indicating  that  it  may  be  a 
winter  resident  some  years. 

246—748.    Golden- crowned  Kinglet    Regulus  satrapa. 

Only  one  record  of  this   species  being  seen  near  Cando. 

247—749.    Ruby-crowned  Kinglet      regulus  calendula. 

Tolerably  common   spring  migrant. 

248— 756a.    Willow  Thrush.    Turdus  fuscesceus  salicicola, 

Common  migrant  on  prairies.  Abundant  summer  resident  of  Turtle  Moun- 
tains. 

249—775.    Graycheeked  Thrush.    Turdus  alicia. 

Common   migrant.     First   seen   second   week  in   May. 

250— 758a.    Olive-backed  Thrush.    Turdus  ustulatus  swainsonii. 

Rare  spring  migrant.     Not  noted  in  fall. 

251— 761.— Robin.    Merula  migratoria. 

Tolerably  common  migrant.  One  pair  known  to  have  nested  in  Cando 
in  1893.  Also  found  breeding  in  the  Turtle  Mountains.  (In  1910,  now  one 
of  our  most  common  nesting  birds  around  Cando. 

252—766.    Bluebird.    Sialia  sialis. 

Rare  summer  visitor.  Some  years  not  seen  at  all.  This  is  another  species 
that  is  becoming  more  common  as  the  country  settles  up. 

252—768.    Mountain  Bluebird.    Sialia  arctica. 

Rare  early  spring  visitor.     Irregular  in  its  appearance  here. 

ADDENDA 
English  Sparrow.    Passer  domesticus. 

A  flock  of  eight  arrived  in  the  town  of  Cando  in  late  fall  of  1894.  They 
were  the  first  seen  in  this  section,  but  few  were  raised  in  1895.  Now  in  1910, 
they  have  become  the  unmitigated  nuisance,  they  are  everywhere.  Building 
their  unsightly  nests  in  trees  as  well  as  in  the  barns,  granaries,  and  other 
farm  buildings,  and  usual  or  unusual  places  of  the  city  buildings  where  they 
are  allowed  to  gather  in  flocks.  Around  the  farm  buildings  they  do  a  great 


BIRDS   OF   NORTH   DAKOTA  29 

deal  of  damage  not  only  to  the  buildings,  but  to  fruit  trees  and  bushes,  to 
the  growing  and  shocked  grains,  and  when  they  have  access  to  granaries 
they  eat  but  little  except  the  grains  in  store.  Have  seen  but  one  habit  they 
have  that  could  be  set  down  as  a  credit:  on  my  farm  I  have  noticed  them 
feeding  their  young  with  the  tent  caterpillar. 

253—315.    Passenger  Pigeon— Ectopistes  Higratorius. 

The  only  record  of  this  bird  that  I  have  in  North  Dakota  was  furnished 
by  Mr.  J.  F.  Rickbeil  who  was  living  near  Cavalier,  Pembina  Co.,  N.  Dak.,  in 
1880-81.  He  tells  me  that  in  those  years  he  saw  a  number  of  flocks  of  50  to 
100  in  a  flock.  These  pigeons  came  out  of  the  timber  and  brush  along  the 
Tongue  River  and  fed  off  the  shocks  of  wheat  in  latter  part  of  August  and 
September,  and  that  on  several  occasions  he  shot  them.  Mr.  Rickbeil  had 
known  and  shot  numbers  of  the  Wild  Pigeon  in  Southwest  Canada  in  his 
younger  days,  so  that  there  can  be  no  question  as  to  the  identity  of  the  birds. 

254 — 373.    Screech  Owl.    Megascops  Asio. 

Have  two  records  of  this  species.  One  killed  and  mounted  by  Alf  East- 
gate  at  Stump  Lake  and  one  seen  and  watched  for  quite  a  few  minutes  on 
November  10th,  1916,  in  fruit  trees  on  my  lots  in  Cando.  Have  looked  for 
them  for  many  years  but  above  was  the  only  time  I  have  ever  seen  one  in 
North  Dakota. 

255 — 475.    American  Magpie — Pica  pica  hudsonica. 

Have  not  seen  these  myself  but  have  records  from  Eastgate  and  C.  H. 
Canfield  who  has  seen  them  in  Turtle  Mountains,  also  one  mounted  specimen 
taken  there,  now  in  Citizens  Bank  of  Bisbee,  this  County. 


DATE  DUE 


